Professor, Head,
Morphological Services
1974 BS, UNPHU (The Dom. Rep.), 1977 MS & 1981 Ph.D. Florida Institute of Technology
Phone: (504) 988-5224
Fax: (504) 988-7389
Teaching:
Photomicrography and Filtration, Electron Microscopy, light microscopy, Video Imaging, Inner ear Neuroanatomy, Mechanisms of HIV infection.
Grant Support:
NIH, NASA, Private, Intramural
Internet:
Web:
Fermin's Web page
- Choi, B., Gatti, P.J., Haislip, A.M., Fermin, C.D. and Garry, R.F. Role of Potassium in human immunodeficiency virus production and cytoplathic effects. Virology, 247:189-199, 1998.
- Fermin, CD, Lychakov, D, Campos, A, Hara, H, Sondag, E, Jones, T, Jones, S, Taylor M, Meza-Ruiz, G and Martin, DS. Otoconia biogenesis, phylogeny, composition & functional attributes. Histol & Histopath 13(4):1103-1154, 1998.
- Fermin, CD, Lychakov, D, Campos, A, Hara, H, Sondag, E, Jones, T, Jones, S, Taylor M, Meza-Ruiz, G and Martin, DS. Otoconia biogenesis, phylogeny, composition & functional attributes. Histol & Histopath 13(4):1103-1154, 1998.
- Gatti, P.J., Fermin, C.D.,and Garry, R.F. Inhibition of HIV-1 production by hygromycin B. AIDS Research and Human Retroviruses 14, 883-890, 1998.
- Plymale RD, Comardelle, AM, Fermin, CD, Martin, DS, Costin, JM, Norris, CH, Tencza, SB, Mietzner, TA, Montelaro, RC, Garry, RF. Concentration-dependent differential induction of necrosis or apoptosis by HIV-1 lytic peptide 1. Peptides 20:1275-1283, 1999.
- Plymale, RD, Ng Tang, DS, Comardelle, AM, Fermin, CD, Lewis, DE, and Garry, RF. Both necrosis and apoptosis contribute to HIV-1-induced killing of CD4 Cells. AIDS, 13:1827-1839, 1999
- Kalkari, G, Khalap, N, Garry, RF, Fermin, CD and Dash, S. Hepatitis C virus protein expression induces apoptosis in HepG2 cells. Virology, 282(1):26-37, 2001.
Kalkari, G, Khalap, N, Shamim, AGarry, RF, Fermin, CD and Dash, S. Hepatitis C virus proteins affect cell viability and membrane permeability. Exp & Mol Pathol. In Press, 2001.
- Hara, J., DR. Plymale, DL. Shepard1, H. Hara, RF. Garry, T. Yoshihara, H-P. Zenner, M. Bolton, R. Kalkeri and CD. Fermin. Dark cells for homeostasis of inner ear fluids. Eur J. ORL, 2001, In Press.
- Kalkari, G, Khalap, N, Shamim, AGarry, RF, Fermin, CD and Dash, S. Hepatitis C virus proteins affect cell viability and membrane permeability. Exp & Mol Pathol. In Press, 2001.
Most of our work deals with morphogenesis of: {1} hair cells {2} afferent neurons and {3} non-sensory structures that determine whether the body senses sound and/or mechanical vibrations. {1} Hair cells are modified neurons (paraneurons) that evolved from lateral line organs of ancient species, but retained features that makes them excellent transducers to convert vibrations into neural stimuli (Fermin et al., 1998). Our work determined critical periods of hair cells and afferent neurons development. Presently we are cloning genes whose products show unique immunohistochemical and in situ hybridization profiles over the vestibular neurons at 1.0G under normal, after surgical and chemical deafferentation or varied gravity conditions. We need to link morphology with potential functional attributes of the neurons and gene products. Most notably is the M126 gene which is differentially expressed in v-myb-transformed avian myelomonocytic cells, and has significant homology with several mammalian small calcium-binding proteins. Partial sequence of the reamplified gene product of this clone suggest that it may be a homologue to the important mammalian S100b gene. Since no avian S100b has been reported we continue our studies to identify this potential homologue and evaluate its function in the inner ear. Related to changes of gravity encountered in space flights, we also study fluid homeostasis of dark cells and mineralization of non-cellular masses that affect electrolytic balance inside the inner ear. Other publications non-ear related topics are from collaborations.
Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine
Rev DDO 7/04